ENGLISH
REFERENCE

increasing

adj. · n.
US //ˌɪnˈkɹisɪŋ// UK //ɪnkɹˈiːsɪŋ// in·creas·ing
  1. 1 growing in amount (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    becoming larger in number, amount, or level.

    describing a state of continuous growth or expansion in quantity, intensity, or degree.

    Example

    There is an increasing number of people using electric cars in the city.

    Example

    The company faced increasing pressure from shareholders to improve its environmental record before the annual general meeting.

    Usage

    Usually placed before a noun to describe a trend.
  2. 2 the process of growth (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    the act or process of something getting bigger.

    the gerund form of the verb, functioning as a noun to describe the process of augmentation.

    Example

    The increasing of the budget allowed the team to hire more staff.

    Example

    The steady increasing of taxes over the last decade has led to significant public debate regarding fiscal policy.

    Usage

    Often follows 'the' and is followed by 'of'.
Etymology 1

From increase + -ing (participial suffix).

Etymology 2

From Middle English encresing, equivalent to increase + -ing (gerund suffix).

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